NAHMS Sheep 2024 Study

Study Launch

In January 2024, the USDA's National Animal Health Monitoring System (NAHMS), in collaboration with the

National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), will conduct its fourth national study of the U.S. sheep

industry. Sheep 2024 will take an in-depth look at U.S. sheep operations and provide the industry with new and 

valuable information regarding priority health and management issues facing the U.S. sheep industry.

Background

Priority health and management issues facing the

sheep industry were identified from over 1,000

responses to a needs assessment survey and through 

communications with sheep producer associations,

veterinarians, and university and extension experts.

Approximately 4,900 sheep producers with 1 or more 

ewes from 30 of the Nation’s major sheep-producing 

States (see dark shaded States in the map) will have 

the opportunity to participate in the study.

 

Study Objectives

The NAHMS Sheep 2024 study is designed to provide

stakeholders with valuable information about the U.S.

sheep industry. This study will:

 Describe occurrence of common, economically

 

 

important diseases of sheep as well as 

management and biosecurity practices 

associated with those diseases. 

  Describe antimicrobial

 stewardship on sheep

operations and

 estimate the prevalence of enteric

microbes and antimicrobial resistance patterns;

 Describe management practices producers

 use to

 control internal parasites and reduce resistance to 

dewormers;

  Describe changes in animal health, nutrition, and

management practices in the U.S. sheep industry

from 1996–2024; and

 Provide serum to include 

 in the serologic bank for  future research.

 

Study Activities

Participation in any NAHMS study is voluntary.

If an operation is selected to participate in the Sheep

2024 study, and decides to do so, their answers will

represent many other producers in their State.

In January 2024, representatives from NASS will

contact selected producers to complete a

questionnaire. For operations that are eligible to

continue in the study, representatives from USDA's 

Veterinary Services will schedule a visit from April to

June 2024 to administer a second questionnaire,

perform a free lameness evaluation, and collect 

interdigital swabs and blood and fecal samples. 

NAHMS will return results to the producers. 

“The NAHMS Sheep 2024 study is the fourth 

comprehensive survey of flock health, 

management practices, and other important factors 

in the U.S. sheep industry. This study will provide 

the American Sheep Industry and other 

organizations, sheep researchers, and 

policymakers with valuable information on the 

priority issues facing our business. I fully support 

this effort and strongly encourage all selected 

producers to participate fully.”

Susan Shultz, Immediate Past President

American Sheep Industry 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Opportunities for Free

Biological Sampling

Producers who fully participate in the study will have

the option to complete biological sampling of their

sheep. Fecal samples will be tested for gastrointestinal 

parasites and enteric microbes, including Salmonella, E.

Coli, and Campylobacter. Interdigital swabs will be

tested for foot rot pathogens. Respondents will receive

their test results, and results are confidential. Interested

producers can participate in any or all of the sampling

opportunities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scientific Approach

NAHMS was established to collect accurate and valuable

information on animal health and management in the

United States. Since 1990, NAHMS has developed

national estimates on disease prevalence and other

factors related to the health of U.S. sheep, bison, beef

cattle, dairy cattle, swine, goat, equine, poultry, and

catfish populations.

NAHMS studies are national in scope, science-based,

statistically valid, collaborative, voluntary, and

anonymous.

Benefits of the Sheep 2024 Study

Participating producers will receive:

 Results of gastrointestinal parasite and

enteric microbe testing

 Information about lameness and results from

lameness pathogen testing

The sheep industry will benefit from:

 Benchmark data on important sheep health

 management practices and the health of sheep in

the United States

 Improved understanding of disease preparedness on

 

 

 

 

sheep operations

 Information important for policy makers and

industry stakeholders

 Identification of educational needs and

 opportunities related to sheep health

“By participating in the Sheep 2024 Study, you

help guide efforts that advance the American

sheep industry. This survey helps researchers,

industry organizations, and veterinarians

understand what U.S. sheep producers are

facing in order to promote applied research and

extension efforts to help develop solutions to

health and management issues. The more input

we receive from the survey, the better we can

respond to the needs of the industry.”

Jaelyn Whaley, Sheep Extension Field Specialist, 

South Dakota State University

Confidentiality

Because NAHMS relies on voluntary participation, the

privacy of every participant is protected. No name or

contact information will be associated with individual

data, and no data will be reported in a way that could

reveal the identity of a participant. Data are presented

only in an aggregate manner.

NAHMS is recognized as a statistical unit by the

Office of Management and Budget. All information

acquired for the NAHMS Sheep 2024 study will be

used for statistical purposes only and treated as

confidential in accordance with the Confidential

Information Protection and Statistical Efficiency Act

(CIPSEA). Data collected under CIPSEA are protected

from Freedom of Information requests.

• Please visit www.agcounts.usda.gov/

static/get-counted.html and sign up to

be counted in future surveys. This

ensures that we report the best

information to support U.S.

agriculture.

For More Information

USDA Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health

NRRC Building B, M.S. 2E7 2150 Centre Avenue

Fort Collins, CO 80526-8117 Phone: 866-907-8190

Email: NAHMS@usda.gov

Or visit NAHMS at: www.aphis.usda.gov/nahms

#793.1121

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